Mercer Island This Week: Summer Celebration Is Almost Here (July 6–13, 2026)

This is the week Mercer Island has been building toward all summer. The island's biggest annual celebration lands this Saturday, a free outdoor Shakespeare run opens Thursday night, and the Sunday Farmers Market keeps the weekend going. Here's what to put on the calendar for July 6–13.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: MACBETH — Opening Night Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Luther Burbank Park Amphitheatre, 2040 84th Ave SE | Free

Wooden O Productions kicks off its run of Macbeth this Thursday. No tickets required — seating is first-come, first-seated, so arrive a little early with a picnic blanket or low-back chair to claim a good spot. After Thursday's opening, the show continues July 10, 12, 17, 18, 19, 22, 29, and 30.

MERCER ISLAND SUMMER CELEBRATION — Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Mercerdale Park & Luther Burbank Park

The island's biggest day of the year is four days away. The Community Parade steps off at 10:00 AM at SE 27th St. & 78th Ave SE — arrive by 9:30 AM if you want a curb spot. From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Mercerdale Park hosts live music, a kids' circus zone, foam party and bubble stations, mini golf, Youth Theatre Northwest performances, food trucks, arts & crafts booths, and Touch-a-Truck. At 6:00 PM the celebration shifts to Luther Burbank Park for more live music and food trucks, closing with a fireworks finale over the water at 10:00 PM. Parking fills fast, so biking or walking in is strongly recommended.

MERCER ISLAND FARMERS MARKET — Sunday, July 12, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 7700 SE 32nd Street

The market runs rain or shine, with certified organic produce, artisan food vendors, handcrafted goods, and a different live performer every week — a good, lower-key way to close out a busy Summer Celebration weekend.

LOOKING AHEAD — Mostly Music in the Park's free Thursday concert series begins next week, July 16 at 6:30 PM at Mercerdale Park with Harmony of Rock. And if you want a seat at IN A LANDSCAPE, the outdoor piano performance at Luther Burbank Park on July 21, tickets are worth grabbing early at inalandscape.org — the wireless-headphone format tends to sell out.

Whether you're a longtime islander or just getting to know Mercer Island, this is as good a week as any to see the community out in force. Curious what it's like to live here year-round? I'm always happy to talk.